Personally for me, returning back to Footstock after a year off was something I’ve been looking forward to since I knew I wasn’t attending 2009. With the anticipation came questions about whether I could still compete? Who will be the toughest competition? And how many 8’s will it take to win?

After a year off, it’s hard to get back to feeling comfortable on and off the water, but with the help from friends, I was able to do both. At least 2 nights a week I was invited by Andy Lundt to go footin behind his Barefoot 200. I worked on increasing my endurance and he worked on his rough water skills. I can’t thank him enough for all the times he pulled me this summer. As the summer progressed, I felt stronger and stronger. I new I could do 3 eights and felt this would be enough to get me in the finals.

On the Friday before Footstock, I went to the site and was the first one off the dock for the practice session.  I was able to easily complete 2 eights. I was feeling pretty confident I could win my fourth title and finally tie Peter Fleck and Aaron Schoelzel. As Friday night progressed, more and more old friends came in and out of Ducks Bar, a tradition that goes back as far as I’ve been attending the event.

Saturday I woke up with a headache a feeling of relief that it was finally here. All the worrying and nervousness was finally gone. The Ducks Bar tradition had done it’s job. As usual Saturday at Footstock is a long day, and this year was no exception. I first skied at 2 pm with a win against Footstock legend Dan Cardinal.  Next up was a youngster Kyle Kahzle.  I’ve competed against his dad a lot so I knew this kid would be tough, and he didn’t disappoint. As we came through the X, I could see he was looking shaky.  I got distracted by him and lost focus on what I was doing.  That’s all it took, I was down.  I thought I had lost but before I even had time to get mad at myself, I heard the boat judges calling for a rerun.  I didn’t know what to think other than I wasn’t going to fall next time, which is what happened.  After ¾ of an eight Kyle went down and I advanced. Going into the evening I new who I had next and nobody wanted to ski against him, Keith St. Onge, one of the best barefooters on this planet.  I went into the evening very confident and excited as I watched the Seniors wear each other out.  Bob Mahnke finished third in the toughest final I’ve ever witnessed.  Peter Fleck and Marc Donohue ran back to back 4 ¼ eights 7 minutes apart with Peter as the eventual winner. The standings do matter but these two men should be so proud of what they’ve accomplished. They have completely changed the way Footstock will be approached in the future.  If you want any chance of winning, you're going to have to ski 4 eights just for a chance. OUCH!  I, along with everyone else, thought Peter and Marc would be wiped out on Sunday.

Sunday I woke up feeling great.  I went for a 2 mile walk around Crandon and had breakfast with my wife, then off we went to the site. First up KSO.  If I can get by him I have a chance to win Footstock.  Once again, I figured Marc and Pete will be too tired to really compete. So somehow after 1 ¾ eights, KSO goes down.  I didn’t see that coming.  I blistered my heal on that run all I could do is deal with the pain. A bigger problem was my forearms.  I couldn’t grip the handle.  At this point I was getting nervous.  I could only do 2 eights amd with smooth water all day, I was in trouble. Next up Luke Bruckner.  He went down around the same spot as KSO.  Now I knew I was getting lucky.  But luck was about to run out. I had Peter Fleck next. I knew if I was going to beat him, he would have to fall in the first two eights, otherwise my grip would go.  Juast as I expected, starting lap 3, the handle shot out of my hands and I had my first loss of 2010.

Now I had time to rest.  During my down time, Peter came up and offered some advice about equipment that he thought may help.  I figured what do I have to loose. so I took the advice out on the water against KSO, who had fought his way all the way back out of the consolation bracket. Needless to say I lost but not after running him on 2 ¾ eights. I was happy with my effort.  I came in 5th and have realized the tournament isn’t about winning.  It’s a chance to spend time with great friends and family who you only get to see a couple of times a year.

So back to the Pete and Marc show.  Marc had to beat Peter twice.  Their first run they did the impossible 5 eights( I’m still in denial).  On the final run Peter went down after 3 ½ eights and Marc Donohue became a legend . As I said earlier, both men just changed Footstock forever and should be very proud of there accomplishments.

So after another year of training to win, I can say it’s probably my last.  I plan to be back at Footstock, but it will be to have fun and enjoy my time with my friends and family.

I want to thank: Chuck and Michele Gleason, without your support I would have quit skiing.  I can’t ever repay your kindness and graciousness.  My wife, without your love and support I would never have continued to train to win. My kids, you guys make me smile everyday. Andy and Peewee, you guys are the best training partners; keep training and you will reach your goals.

Also my sponsor: Barefootcentral.com, Thanks for my kick ass Eagle Fury suit.

Chris Van Zeeland
3-time Footstock Champion